King Of Hover

Attitude Is Everything

We nicknamed these little arrogant birds 'Cheeky' after putting on their dancing outfit they sure are territorial fighting dominance over seven or so females.

Brood parasites males they do not make their own nests nor raise the young, females lay eggs in other smaller birds nest in the territory leaving another to do the work, this happy go lucky lifestyle shows another side in a bird, just having fun!

Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura) do a grand display of chasing much bigger birds off his territory more often a win than fail with bomb diving in an aggressive stance throughout the mating season.

He does remind me of Muhammad Ali, with "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee", deserves every bit of recognition, size does not matter to him.

Diving onto his lady once the coast is clear, or chasing over the garden following her from tree to tree he truly is a fun character to watch, if only I had one of those fancy big rig cameras to climb in on the action as he even chases us from time to time. Only his lady friends are allowed to go eat the seed while he sits guard above, weavers, doves will all be driven off while she is there.

This beautiful native songbird of sub-Saharan Africa a delightful bird to watch through the mating season, not afraid of humans. Taking some time off chasing the ladies having a nibble himself, some sustenance to continue.

When not in mating season looks similar to the females and all live together quite content finding seed together, when he grows a conspicuous pennant-like tail the fun begins for the next season as "king with a red beak" hovering over his ladies!

Entry to Qurator Photo Quest - Bird

All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS camera. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you.

Thought for Today: "The bird, which flaps its wings too much, will drop its feathers." - African proverb